The Canadian High Commissioner to Nigeria, Mr. Perry John Calderwood, has disclosed that Canadian Government would spend N6 billion naira to improve the agriculture and health sectors of Bauchi State.
The High Commissioner represented by a Counsellor and Head of Development Cooperation Global Affairs, Canada, Miss Linda Elrichs made the disclosure yesterday during an official launch of the Livelihood and Nutrition Empowerment (LINE) and the Bauchi Opportunities for Responsive Maternal Neonatal and Child Health (BORN) Projects in Bauchi.
The five year LINE and BORN Projects are being implemented in the state by development partners namely Oxfam and Plan International respectively with funding from Canadian Government.
Elrichs said the Canada is supporting Bauchi State with the funds to complement its efforts to address poverty by empowering farmers in the state and to reduce diseases as well infant and maternal mortality rates through strengthening health and education institutions.
Speaking during the launching, Oxfam Associate Country Director, Ms Evelyn Mere, disclosed that the relationship between Bauchi state government and Canada was renewed through the launch of LINE and BORN Projects in line with the goals of the Bauchi State government to prioritise health and agriculture, areas she said Canadian commission also has as its focus.

High Commissioner John Calderwood

The focus of the project under BONE she disclosed was to contribute to the state government’s efforts to reduce diseases, maternal and infants mortality rates and strength health institutions
The project which targets two million people particularly women and adolescence girls child is expected to reverse the high rates of infant and mortality rates in the state.
The programme is expected to empower farmers in Bauchi State to improve their livelihoods and also address the high infant and maternal mortality rates in the state.
Also in his speech Bauchi state Governor, Mohammed Abdullahi Abubakar, said his government was ready to provide enabling environment for donor agencies who have interest in the state.
The governor, who was represented by his Chief of Staff, Alhaji Sule Katagum, said that the two projects have direct impact on the lives of women and adolescence in the state.
He noted the need to protect women and during delivery and after “so that we can have a healthy society.
We cannot afford to see our mothers dying on related sickness that can be prevented”.